Earth, Wind and Fired Up!
What’s Jack up to? He’s exhausted after 4 hours at the groomer today with the other “kids”. The dear went straight to the hall closet after and would not come out. He was so over me. But at least he’s clean and you can see his eyes. Picture to come soon.
America’s Next Top Model was a recap show. I just don’t have time for those. It’s like a long commercial break.
But happily Top Chef was all new.
The show starts out with Jen being so cute and defending her girl who didn’t cut it last week. The we are introduced to Ming Tsai for the quickfire and the blind taste challenge. Antonia is excited. The chefs have to choose the more expensive dish. Stephanie was the worst which is surprising and Antonia rocked and won so she has immunity.Now onto the elimination challenge. It meals on wheels! Wheee! And its another team challenge based on the 4 elements of earth, water, fire and air and doing a starter.
Water team: Richard, Andrew and Mark are poaching fish and way too happy about it. WAY to happy with the high fives and of course Richard is in charge and assuming the role as executive chef on the 1 dish starter. Gag me!
Air is Jen, Nikki and Ryan. They are doing duck and pomegranate. Ryan messes up and uses all the pomegranate. Someone get him off the island.
Earth is Spike (with a herringbone fedora) , Antonia and Zoi who are arguing over soup from the start. Chill babies. Get it together.
Fire is the power team with Dale, Stephanie and Lisa. The tension is hot. Lisa is not happy with Dale or his devilish eggs. I love all of Dale’s snide impersonations of Lisa. Oh Dale you are so dry! Onto Whole Foods and Lisa is mad and now fighting for Asian. Way to fight girl! She wins out. Good for her.
Sidebar: I just noticed that Spike is wearing a crazy hat in the confessional that really does look like a Ricky original and I’m nervous for him.
Sidebar over and folks are coming in hungry. Team water’s poached salmon doesn’t look too good. Scaly? Oh very bad.
Team Fire and some good looking grilled shrimp and the judges are happy, happy, happy!
Team air’s Duck is next and uh-oh I head some complaints.
Team Earth and the beef and more complaints from the judges, the diners and Spike! Yech.Time for the judges table and the Glad not-so-glad room. Richard is whining. Why you not so bad now, Dude?
And the Fire team is called in and congratulated. They are so happy. I’m glad Lisa won this big prize since she really fought for this. Dale is bitter but man enough to admit it.
Now Earth and Water are called in for the bad news. Richard is in TROUBLE! Mark and Andrew are just there. The Earth team is called on the carpet for their dish being bland. Zoi is fighting for her herbs and Spike is still bringing up his missed soup.
Back to the Not So Glad Room and the big fight. Jen is bigging up Zoi telling her she’s an amazing chef. Is love blind? Richard is whining and Spike is mad at himself.
Back to the judges and it’s the end for Zoi. I saw it coming.
The Not So Glad Room is a mess. Jen is in tears. There is hell to pay and even with the show over the arguing continues. What tha-! Spike jumps on Antonia and Jen loses it, then Dale says something, Lisa jumps in and Dale tells her off because he’s pissed about not going to Italy. Spike goes too far with Jen and she kick a chair. Yikes! It’s Top Chef guys. Chill out and cook something.Buh-bye Zoi. Thanks for the memories.
Best,
KwanaToo Desperate
What’s Jack up to? He’s finally on his way to the groomer for a much needed haircut. Let’s hope he’s looking a lot better when I see him again and they don’t call me early to pick up my problem dog. I have to say I’m a little nervous about this new place we’re trying. They seem a little over the top with calling the dogs “kids” and all. What up with that? Wierd-o’s or just me?Thanks so much to all of you who checked out Megan’s interview yesterday. If you missed it please check it out. Megan is awesome!
Today I was going to get all philosophical and talk about A New Earth. I’m still on the New Earth wagon and liking it although I’m behind, but I’m enjoying all this study of the ego and getting over it stuff. It’s interesting. A good thought I got from the download of the chapter 2 discussion was, “what you react to in another you strengthen in yourself.” Hmm… Let’s just think about that a bit shall we?Now the total opposite of suppressing the ego was last night’s Not So Real Housewives of NYC. It was EGO to the MAX! Alex, Simon, Ramona the whole thing was a mess. Talk about desperation and dying for acceptance. It was just S-A-D. Then the mad hatter dinner party with Simon as the creepy party crasher? Crazy.And the Topper of the Night for me was LuAnn pulling rank and not wanting to be introduced to “the help” by her first name and comparing “the help” to children. UGH. Just when I didn’t think it could get any worse. It did. Eek. Next week is the season Finale. Awww…. so soon?
Best,
Kwana
Top Fool I am
What’s Jack up to? He’s just being Jack. Lately he’s been hiding out in the hall closet with the shoes and boots. I keep forgetting and closing the door on him all the way. Sorry, Jack.
It was quite a shocker on America’s Next Top Model last night, but first off what is up with Lauren and the crazy outbursts? That girl is needing a muzzle.
I have to give props this week to Stacy Ann for being smart with the good Sprint shout out and getting premium camera time and good for her winning the challenge. Go Stacy Anne! I also have to say I wasn’t in love with the photos this week and in a true shocker, well, not so much. Claire was ousted. I thought it would have been and should have been Lauren. Oh well.
Buh-Bye Claire. No more CoverGirl of the week for you.
Now for Top Chef. Hooray!!!
This week’s quickfire was with guest Daniel Boulud and was all about technique and making a beautiful vegetable plate. Uh-oh all you butter fingers and as for you Richard and Ryan (who I suspect was fired) Daniel said his past experiences with them would not effect him. We’ll see…
Sidebar: How many hats did Spike bring? Does he secretly have something going on with Ricky from Project Runway?Quickfire judging Dale was impressive and scary too.
Richard’s a suck up. Surprise. Wipe your nose.
Spike was nice, despite the hat Hmm….
The winner is….. Scary Dale with the manic eyes and full zipper velour jogging jacket. Yay! He’ll be around another week.Now the elimination challenge. A dinner inspired by your favorite movie. Sounds like a fun dress- party. Wouldn’t it be great to do that with Pride and Prejudice, or Rocky Horror or Mahogany all could have good food and fun clothes. What movie would you choose?
Richard, Dale and Andrew are doing Willy Wonka. Andrew no acting, please. This is not Mars 2112. Just stop. Tom will not stand for it. Back in the kitchen Richard’s smoker breaks. I’m so happy. I’m mean, right?Judges Verdict- Impressive
Did Spike Say Good Morning Vietnam? What? Not a favorite movie of mine and you can’t really dress to it, but make it good Manuel, please don’t pull out an accent or I may have to smack you.Verdict- Judges not impressed.
Jen and Nikki- Il Postino- Good Choice but Nikki need to chill with the Italian. The judges are going to get tired of her with that.
Verdict- Tom “Good not great.” I think they’ll they’ll take that.
Zoi and Antonia- Talk to Her good too. Spanish film. good stuff to work with.Verdict- Daniel not happy. Uh-oh, Zoi.
Mark and Ryan to ding bats with no knowledge of cinema decided on the Christmas story. Hmm…Verdict-Hey Ted liked it. Why am I surprised? Ryan just does not impress me.
Lisa and Stephanie get the 6th course and decide to do beef? Who wants beef for a 6th course? Who? Unless it’s a 6 am after the club course. Although I’ll agree that Top Secret is a super Funny movie and probably Val Kilmer’s best. At least they added apples so it’s not all savory.Verdict-Daniel- Yum.
The winners are announced and there are man hugs all around even with the women. The final winner is…Fauxhawk Richard. Man! And even without a smoker. Nobodies happy. Ugh!
Losers walk on in. Spike has on another fedora! Mustard yellow. Ugh again! Manuel you are with a fedora wearing mess. Get a backbone, man.
Antonia and Zoi look like they want to cry. Zoi is whining too much in the Gladroom. I’m afraid she may go. Tick Tock….
Commercial over. Wow! I was fooled again. Zoi is safe despite the whining. Fedora is in and Manuel is out. Buh-Bye, Manuel.
It was fun.
Best,
KwanaStop the world I want to get off
What’s Jack up to? Sweetie is jumping at the window barking at all the activity on this block on this not quite spring day.
Last night one of the scariest and most entertaining characters came back to prime time TV with Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen coming back on. Shout out to Louisa! Are you smiling today?
I watched some, but have to check out the DVR for the rest since I was interrupted by the teens. But what a wacky bunch of “chefs” they have. I mean truly strange characters. There is hardly a normal person in the bunch and it makes me wonder why they went so over the top this season. I have to say I was Happy to see the one mohawk of the bunch was real and not faux. Now as to the talent. I’m not sure.As for the title of my post today… I’d really like to be like the, not a housewife at all, Bethany (in the dots here) of the NOT so Real Housewives of NYC and be able to pack a bag to Miami because I’m upset and stressed with life. Let me tell you baby I’d be on that plane right about now. Ugh!
But guess what? I am a real housewife. With kids and a husband and a dog and a work I need to do and there are wheels that turn because I’m turning them! So I can’t do that.
They all make me crazy. The only one I can half tolerate is Jill (she’s in the black on the right).
Oh well, since I can’t hop on a plane I’m going to do my next best thing and escape to my weekly knitting group then come back home and get to writing and my very real life as a Housewife of NYC.Best,
KwanaNothing says I love you like spray tan and a treadmill
What’s Jack up to? The little stinker got into one of the twin’s backpacks and got to some candy so he’s not into eating this morning. Feeling blah. Serves you right, Jack.
I missed quite a bit of Dancing With The…Stars? last night so I’ll have to check out the recap. I did get to see Jason and Kristi and thought they were both great. I’m thinking they maybe the final two or at least they should be.
The Bachelor was so funny last night. First off, how sad are the one on one dates that are like a one-way tickets to nowhere? You have to pack your bags and if you don’t get a rose then and there you’re left like an unwanted dog taken for a “ride”. Horrible. Talk about pressure. It had one girl start a date on the red carpet and end it in a hot tub in order to insure that rose. Classy, huh?
I had to laugh out loud when crazy Shayne jumped up and down on the bed with glee when finding out one of the other girls had secret full blown spray tan machine. The girl was so happy that she announced “if she had a treadmill she’d be in heaven”. Gag me please!!!
Then Marshana got her lip busted in a way too physical game of Rugby. You’d think they were on Survivor. So there she is bleeding and all the girls are mad at her for bleeding and getting Matt’s attention.
Can someone tell me why they were looking at Matt’s house like it was really his house? Um, girl’s don’t you know it’s rented just like yours right? I’m worried.
Oh well, enough of these girls. Off to write and embrace my VOICE. Sort of like Sanjaya, without a care as to what anyone thinks of me. Hopefully it will be a productive day that will end with tired fingers from all my typing.Best,
Kwana
What Happens In Vegas…
What’s Jack up to? Wild boy is chilling. The long holiday weekend is over and kids are back to school. Both of us are breathing a sigh of relief.Dancing With The… Stars? was a blast. A nice escape for the evening. I watched enjoyed and cast some votes for Jason, Mario, Marissa and Kristi, but the night really got interesting after Dancing With The Stars? Hush now… Not that interesting.I’m gett
ing so suckered into this season of The Bachelor and I’m slightly ashamed since the girls are so bad. What’s with these singing chicks? How many times have you all serenaded a guy on a date? If you have please speak up. I so want to hear the story. Just place in the comment section. No judgment here. We’re all friends.BTW. Don’t you love these crazy high school style photos of the girls. So funny. I wonder if they each got a runner comb with each sitting.
And Ashlee with a bunch of E’s. Way to be subtle. Sit on a bed and say you’ve been thinking of his lips? Did you graduate like, yesterday? But who am I to criticize. The girl’s not deep, but neither are men. And my point was proven when she got her preemptive strike rose. So there.
Then the drama got all high with, Shayne, Lorenzo Lamas’ daughter, who on day 2 went all stalkeratti in the casino. She was serving up a big plate of crazy. Pulling Matt by the arm and saying how this was getting “real” for her now. Really? Really?
Then Matt goes back to the ranch and he’s lip locking with all the girls and Marshana gets jealous. She goes for the slow dance and tries to hypnotize hm with her eyes. It doesn’t work! All the other girls are watching. Lips lock De-nied!
Oh no, Suddenly another girl is singing I can’t take it. I don’t know her name, but please Matt send these crazy singing chicks home. It’s freaking me out.
But please keep crazy Shayne here. She’s fun. Wacko, but fun. I know you think she’s acting and I’m sure she is, but the girl makes for good TV. I mean we don’t have Stacy any more. Sob.UH- OH. Rose ceremony.“Will you accept this rose?” “Yes. Oh Yes.”The tension is mounting. Final Rose. Shayne sweating, it’s between her and some wacky singers so I’m sweating too. But end the end crazy wins out. “Shayne will you stay and rock my–“, oops sorry wrong show.But wait, maybe it’s not the wrong show. Preview for next week and there blood and gore. Yech!Off to Write! Bye!Best,KwanaIt’s Super
What’s Jack up to? The sweetie is a happy boy today after getting a nice long walk this morning and all the DH’s attention since the twins have no school and are sleeping in.
Happy Friday and Happy Good Friday to all who are celebrating today!So it getting down to the wire on Make Me Super Model and the girls are dwindling away. What up wit dat? It may be just me, but I was not feeling Ronnie cockiness when Shannon got voted out. He is feeling himself way to much.
I was also not feeling Tyson’s bad imitation of DMX when he was coming up the stairs. Choose an image son! Please.
But, I was very happy to see the drama diva Naomi Campbell appear on the show. Everyone watch your phones and hold your breath!
Then it was time for the models to get naked and Perry had to get completely shaved and do a scary Silence of The Lambs thing. He also asked to get his girl friends tattoo photo shopped out. Once again proving a good point to my kids. Ouch.Then it was time for the Catwalk and who comes out, The super diva Christian!!!! Now a pocket sized mega star giving catwalk lessons. And he said, “sassy”. Let’s all bring it back. Fierce.
Check out Holly in Christian’s dress.
I’m going for the girl power and Holly and I’ve always liked Perry’s look. I think he has movie star quality.
There was no bottom 2 or three this week but for me it’s Ronnie and Ben. What do you think?
Best,
Kwana
Dropping like flies
What’s Jack up to? Poor Mr. Jack is a little under the weather. We’ll see how he fares today. It’s all about chillin’ today Jack.
So my first 2 reality shows were so sad lat night.
ANTM
Poor Marvita was out at the beginning. There was no mystery in the show. The DH said she was out-ski as soon as he saw her with the 40 ounce. Tsk, tsk. I still couldn’t help but feel sad for her and her very sad photo. I was hoping they would give me a top model twist and it would be Whitney gone at the end, but alas, no.
A few points: It is just me or is Dominique feeling a little Jade-esque?
Fatima? What up with the not shaving, gal? You knew Miss J would be all over that.
And who stole Lauren’s shoes? That poor girl can barely walk in shoes she knows. She’ll never be ale to break in another pair!Then it was Survivor. Which I had forgotten was coming on but thankfully I taped it fifteen minutes into it. Poor Kathy. The woman had a full Survivor meltdown and left the show. it was all those times on Exile Island that wore her down.
Then it came time for the deliberation and it was looking like Ozzy’s arrogance was getting the best of him. Half naked showers with random ladies won’t win you any point. Remember: Have Equipment Will Travel. But in the end it was Tracy. Ozzy is still running things or is it Cirie?
Then on to, wait for it… Top Chef.
What’s with Mr. Chill aka Spike stopping and listening to music? Work fool!
And Richard aka Mr. Smokey and the eucalyptus. How many times can he say, “molecular Gastronomy” in five seconds? Like fifty. We get it already Mr. Smokey. Yeech!And Runaround Marc sweating out of the box and messing up with the bags. Ugh. High drama in the kitchen. Good thing he can cook even with mistakes. Go Curly! Immunity.
Can someone tell me why is Dale always mad, no matter if it’s rainy or sunny? But, I’m starting to like it. He’s just so dark.Last thing on the quick fire, Andrew, can you can’t to five? Duh? Moving on.
Next up, Crazy zoo challenge. What?
Jennifer starts talking about butting heads with Zoi. My eyebrow raises, Joke’s too easy. I’ll leave it alone. You all get 5 seconds. tick-tock. tick- tock.
So the chefs had to come up with something using the diets of the animals they get assigned. Pretty cool except the girls who got the vegetarian diet wimped out and started adding meat? That doesn’t sound right to me. But it’s crab, not too bad.Is it me or is Tom smiling more than ever this year. Did he get a raise or is he just really enjoying torturing the chefs?
Time is ticking and mistakes are flying we got bad mushrooms and soggy chips. Antonia trying quickly to step away from Valerie’s blini dish.
Surprise Surprise the winner for the challenge was wacky Andrew and his Glacier. If Dale could kill with his eyes watch out!
Back in deliberation it was a Dale/ Nikki smack-down. Could she see thought those glasses? Then it’s Stephanie against Valerie and Antonia throws Valerie under the bus. Ouch.
End the end it was adios to Valerie. Buh-Bye sweet chef. See ya.
Best,
KwanaHave Equipment Will Travel
What’s Jack up to? That’s little stinker’s getting into trouble, stealing shoes, socks and whatever else he thinks will disrupt the house this morning. Jack!
The inspiration for today’s post came for last night’s TV and a surprise 11:00 pm phone call from my Nana. Now you know when the phone rings at 11:00 it’s usually never good. At first I felt panic then I realized The Bachelor had just gone off and it was Nana. I laughed as my poor DH was worriedly asking if her if she was feeling alright.
Here’s me and Nana’s recap of last night’s TV:
First off Dancing with the Stars?
It was all about the men and they did surprisingly well. Sure some weren’t great (Penn Jillette) but there wasn’t a Master P in the bunch. I had to laugh at how serious they all were. Mario threw his Hip Hop persona out the window and turned into a ballroom maniac! The front runners for me were, Mario, Jason Tayor and Cristian de la Fuente. Good job guys traveling with the ladies across the floor.
Next up was the premier of The Bachelor. We got to meet the new Brit bachelor Matt Grant. A 27 year old global financier, whatever that means. According to Nana, he’s nice and good looking, but there’s something off about him that we just can’t trust. We can’t put our finger on it yet, but Nana got it right when she said somethings off with his mouth. Oh, Nana.
We also got to meet his bevy of way too eager beauties. Nana, nailed it right. Trashy! Why is there always the one girl who gets drunk on the first night and wears too many sequins? Why? Stacy did you really think that guy wanted you drunken panties in you pocket. Ewww. Bu-bye. and what’s with biting a beer can? Huh?
In the end Matt worked the room like a champ. Sharing his love freely then breaking the hearts of 10 girls, but making the night of 15. Will you accept this rose? Yes. Oh yes! Travel on Matt.
We ended our conversation with talk about our brand spanking new Governor of the great state of New York, David Paterson. Mr. Paterson takes over for now ex gov/john/ client #9 Elliot Spitzer. Both Nana and I are are so proud that he’s African-American and from our hometown of Harlem too! To top it off he’s the first legally blind Governor in the United States ever. I proudly showed my son his swearing in on the Internet. Great day!
Not a few hours later does the news break that he too has had extramarital affairs years ago, but he and his wife worked through it with counselling. His wife admitted to having affairs of her own. Well there’s a twist.
According to, Nana, with plenty of choice words not suitable for my PG blog, “What’s with these bleeping men? It doesn’t matter who they are whether they can see or not. All that matter is what equipment they got. You’ve got to look at all their bleeping bleeps with the screw eye!”
Amen, Nana!
Have equipment will travel.Best,
KwanaKnit Wednesday- Diary of a Mad Black Woman
What’s Jack up to? Jack’s being his usual handful. Getting underfoot and chasing behind my every step today. Watch it, Jack. You could get stepped on that way.
It’s been a while since my little group has been able to get together for our knit Wednesday, but we’re back in the swing today and I’m all excited. I need to get out of my own head and life for a few hours. The world of teen twins is driving me mad. MAD I SAY!!!! But, I’ll just leave it there so as not to fuel the already roaring fire.
Today at knitting we’ll be singing a belated Happy Birthday to Sue! Happy Birthday Sue!!! Sue’s a wife, mother and artist originally from Australia and she’s super cool. I tell you I really lucked out in the friend and neighbor department.As for my knitting progress, sadly, I’m no further with my socks, well, sock and being a total Gemini, I’ve gone onto trying this scarf in this lovely ribbon yarn I had picked up last year for a song.
It has this cool drop stitch that’s easy, but makes me feel very clever. I just love that. There’s not many times nowadays that I actually get feel clever (see above). So I’ll take it where I can get it.
It seems Internet fame is going to Jack’s head and now I can’t pick up a camera without him jumping in front of it. Here he is talking the spotlight off the knitting. Thanks Jack. BTW-Does someone desperately need a Spring Haircut? Where are your eyes, Jack? I’ve a right mind to gel that hair up!
Oh, anybody catch the “Not So Real” Housewives of New York? Ugh. Why is my dear Bravo not paying me good money to film my not so fabulous life? I’d give them a right good show. Sure the DH can’t just get a jet to send the DD to detox and we don’t prefer “The Islands” over “The Hamptons” more like, “Six Flags” over “Bush Gardens”, but we’re real and with the Teen Titan Twins we’ve got drama to spare. Besides with me they’d actually get a diverse housewife. Novel idea huh? OK. Mini rant over. I’ll still watch next week anyway because I’m lame like that and I want to see that creepy Speedo hubby that can’t leave his wife’s side.
Check out Top Check Tonight!
So what’s up for your Wednesday?
Best,
Kwana
